Southern Appalachian Forest Recovery Program Manager

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in North Carolina.

📋 Description

• Offer strategic leadership and technical assistance for projects focused on forest recovery, restoration, and resilience.

• Promote collaborative efforts in forest stewardship and conservation throughout the Southern Appalachians.

• Design, execute, and oversee a range of projects dedicated to forest recovery, restoration, and reforestation.

• Evaluate forest conditions to create restoration plans, treatment recommendations, and desired future conditions alongside implementation actions.

• Aid in the execution, monitoring, and assessment of projects, including initiatives for recovery following Hurricane Helene.

• Identify and prioritize key watersheds, landscapes, and sites for restoration.

• Develop projects from initial evaluations to implementation-ready scopes of work and treatment strategies.

• Lead strategies and work plans for collaborative field teams.

• Convey restoration strategies and project proposals to the U.S. Forest Service, contractors, consultants, partners, and funding bodies.

• Utilize GIS datasets for project planning, implementation, progress reporting, technical summaries, and communications with funders.

• Oversee large-scale funding agreements with the U.S. Forest Service.

• Manage forestry projects throughout planning, contracting, budgeting, implementation, and coordination with partners.

• Supervise the advertising, negotiation, and awarding of contracts for project implementation.

• Coordinate on-the-ground stewardship projects with contractors, consultants, nonprofits, agencies, and private landowners.

• Manage program and project budgets and reporting for agreements with government entities and contractors.

• Provide support and potential supervision for program staff, including mentoring and professional growth.

• Collect, analyze, and report on project impact information in collaboration with NFF teams.

• Offer conservation expertise and facilitation for regional initiatives.

• Prepare and update meeting agendas and facilitation materials.

• Establish and nurture relationships with federal and state agencies, local governments, tribal partners, nonprofits, and private-sector stakeholders.

• Assist with fundraising efforts and storytelling in collaboration with NFF Advancement and Marketing teams.

⛳️ Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in conservation, forestry, ecology, natural resource management, planning, landscape design, environmental science, or a related discipline; professional certification; or equivalent experience demonstrating proficiency in forestry and renewable resource management.

• At least 4 years of professional experience in forestry, ecological restoration, reforestation, conservation program management, project planning, and/or project implementation coordination.

• Experience with field-based restoration or forest management, preferably on federal lands.

• Familiarity with the southern Appalachian and southeastern forest ecosystems, native tree species, silvicultural practices, and the needs and challenges of reforestation.

• Proven experience in leading project planning, achieving goals, tracking budgets, and managing project operations involving multiple partners, contractors, service contracts, and funding sources.

• Experience in supervising and managing project-level personnel.

• Demonstrated ability to coordinate multiple projects concurrently.

• Proficient in facilitating, building consensus, and securing agreements in collaborative processes with the U.S. Forest Service or other land management agencies.

• Knowledge of federal land management practices, particularly U.S. Forest Service procedures.

• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, administrative, writing, and public speaking skills.

• Must possess authorization to work in the United States.

• Proficient in GIS, GPS, and data management systems.

• Willingness to travel frequently, work outdoors, and maintain a flexible schedule that includes weekends and evenings.

• Valid U.S. Driver’s License and a clean driving record.

• Access to reliable internet and a dedicated workspace.

🏝️ Benefits

• Medical and dental insurance funded at 75% by the organization for both employees and their dependents.

• Vision insurance supported at 50% by the organization for employees and dependents.

• Health savings account with employer contributions ranging from $1,878 to $3,750 annually.

• Flexible spending accounts for healthcare and dependent care.

• Employee assistance program available at no cost.

• 403(b) retirement plan with a 5% employer match after one year of service.

• Short-term and long-term disability insurance provided at no cost.

• Basic life and AD&D insurance covered at no cost.

• Options for voluntary life insurance.

• Whole life insurance offered at a discounted rate.

• A total of 35 days of annual leave, sick leave, personal leave, and holidays to start.

• Annual leave accrual rates increase with length of service.

• Family and medical leave for up to 16 weeks, with as much as four weeks paid.

• Opportunities for training and development.

• Professional development reimbursement of up to $1,000 each year.

• Chance to contribute to an inspiring mission and travel to or work in stunning locations.

• Position allows for remote work or a work-from-home setup.